POTSDAM -- The Board of Directors of Canton-Potsdam Hospital presented its highest honor, the Board’s Community Service Award, to the Canton Church and Community Program,

The presentation was made at a special forum June 2 hosted by St. Lawrence Health System.

The award is given annually to a community member or organization exemplifying service that improves the health or quality of life for the population served by Canton-Potsdam Hospital. The Church and Community Program is a coalition of six area churches serving Canton, Hermon, Clare, DeKalb, Russell, and Rensselaer Falls, engaging volunteers from many different communities as well as St. Lawrence University.

In making the award, Board Chair Mark Cornett noted that the Church and Community Program has assisted numerous families and individuals in times of need.

“Through its thrift shop, it provides clean, warm children’s clothing, and it provides inexpensive interview and job clothing to those seeking employment,” he said. “This group provides back-to-school supplies free of charge, and warm clothing and pajamas. The organization also operates the Angel Tree program intended for children who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holiday season,” said Mr. Cornett.

“Through its emergency fund, our awardee keeps homes heated and the lights on when the burden of paying for these services has overwhelmed a family’s resources,” he said. Mr. Cornett noted that during 2015, the Church and Community Program filled 610 emergency food requests, distributed 360 holiday food baskets, assisted 55 families to grow fresh vegetables, helped with everything from budgeting to getting eyeglasses, provided 100 children with school supplies, and helped make the holiday season brighter for over 300 families.

Since the CPH all-volunteer Board of Directors launched its Board’s Community Service Award in 1982, recipients have included the Clarkson University Physician Assistant Program, United Helpers; Margaret Vining; Dr. Susan Badenhausen; Dr. Jon Kay; Betty Bradley; Ron Scott; JoAnne Scott; George Maclean; the Rural Medical Education Program (RMED) of SUNY Upstate Medical University and Canton-Potsdam Hospital physicians; SUNY Canton; the police departments of Canton, Norfolk and Potsdam; St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House; Constance Belgarde; Patricia Fanning; Rev. William Cuthbert; Chris J. Theodore; Bill Sloan; Morris Pinto; Canton-Potsdam Hospital volunteers; Kathryn Hayes, R.N.; the men and women of MAST; Ann P. Davis; Dr. Stuart Winning; Sister Kathryn Healy of Hospice; Ellen Claffey, R.N.; Dr. Marshall Stevenson; Frank and Anne Piskor; the E.J. Noble Guild and Potsdam Hospital Guild; area rescue squads; and Crouse Irving Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Donald Thompson; Peter and Becky Van de Water; and Karen Easter. The 2015 awardee was Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley.

In January of each year, community members are invited to nominate organizations or individuals for the award. For more information about the award or to make a nomination, interested individuals may write to the hospital’s Administration Office care of Kimberly A. Smith, 50 Leroy Street, Potsdam, NY 13676, or by sending an e-mail message to kasmith@cphospital.org. Those wishing to volunteer or contribute to the Canton Church and Community Program may contact 386-3534.